8 Of The Coziest Nooks We've Ever Seen (And How To Recreate Them At Home)

Even in the grandest houses, we're inevitably drawn to the smallest rooms: they're the coziest. In big rooms, guess where we head? To the coziest spots, the nooks and niches that are like rooms within rooms — their own intimate little worlds. Look around: There's bound to be an overlooked space in your house just waiting to be snuggled into. Here are ideas for creating and living happily in tiny spaces.

Dining Banquette

Dining Banquette

Snug seating makes any meal more pleasurable, whether it's breakfast with the family or dinner for two. Designer Markham Roberts made great use of a tight corner area in a big kitchen: "Intimate spaces like this make a room livable and easy to be in. If you think about it, no one wants to sit in a cavernous space, unless it's with someone you don't particularly care for."

Under Stairs

Under Stairs

An upholstered banquette under foyer stairs sets a welcoming, relaxed, convivial tone. "This is one of my favorite spots in my house," designer Melissa Rufty says. "It says, 'Kick off your shoes, have a drink, and let's talk about your neighbor!' When we have a party, it starts out collecting coats and purses, but it ends up collecting the late-nighters. I've actually had a friend fall asleep on my shoulder here."